Mr. Souder (for
himself, Mr. Bilbray,
Mr. Carter,
Mr. Pierluisi, and
Mr. Burton of Indiana) submitted the
following resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on Energy and
Commerce

RESOLUTION

Recognizing the Nation’s orthopedic
industry for its continued legacy of innovation in providing devices that
relieve the pain of, and restore mobility to, active duty armed servicemembers,
veterans, and patients of all ages from all walks of life.

Whereas the orthopedic industry has provided treatments
for battlefield fractures and other musculoskeletal-related injuries for more
than 100 years;

Whereas devices provided by the orthopedic industry, such
as hip and knee joint replacements, relieve pain and restore mobility for so
many who have served the Nation honorably;

Whereas the orthopedic industry continues to research and
develop innovative technologies to improve treatment of active duty armed
servicemembers;

Whereas the orthopedic industry brings together the
clinical expertise of surgeons and the technical skills of biomedical engineers
to generate innovation and advances in patient care;

Whereas the orthopedic industry has developed and
continues to develop effective and innovative treatments for the long-term
effects of musculoskeletal disease and injury, including osteoarthritis and
sports-related injuries, for patients of all ages;

Whereas orthopedic medical devices now allow for less
invasive surgical procedures that can lead to shorter hospitalizations and a
faster return to a healthy and productive lifestyle;

Whereas the orthopedic industry is a growing
high-technology industry primarily based in the United States, which makes an
important contribution to the Nation’s balance of trade;

Whereas the orthopedic industry employs more than 20,000
Americans in largely well-paying, high value jobs;

Whereas the orthopedic industry is also committed to
supporting the advancement of the orthopedic medical profession in order to
treat patients of all ages, but particularly the Nation’s aging
population;

Whereas the orthopedic industry supports public policies
that recognize the value of medical innovation and help foster future
innovation to treat unmet medical needs; and

Whereas the orthopedic industry is a significant source of
funding for research by the Nation’s universities and academic medical centers
into improved materials, procedures, and devices: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives honors
the Nation’s orthopedic industry for its continued legacy of innovation in
providing devices that relieve the pain of, and restore mobility to, active
duty armed servicemembers, veterans, and patients of all ages from all walks of
life.